FIB Unhas — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Hasanuddin, once again hosted a prestigious event bridging the worlds of education and cross-national culture. Held at the Prof. Mattulada Hall on Friday, May 23, 2025, the Chinese Bridge 2025 competition was held with great fanfare.
The event was attended by dozens of participants from various educational levels in South Sulawesi, ranging from middle school, high school, to university students. This competition is part of the regional selection for the national and international Chinese Bridge events, which are globally organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) under the Ministry of Education of China. Since its inception in 2002, this program has grown into a cultural diplomacy forum that brings together young generations from various nations through language and art.
This year, three main categories were contested: a speech in Mandarin, impromptu speaking, and a talent show displaying the richness of Chinese culture. Some participants sang traditional songs, played traditional instruments, danced, and even painted. The participants’ enthusiasm was evident from their expressions and dedicated performances. Meanwhile, the judges consisted of Mandarin language lecturers, competition alumni, and representatives from Chinese cultural institutions.
In his remarks, the Unhas Vice-Rector for Partnership, Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship, Prof. Dr. Eng. Adi Maulana, S.T., M.Phil., emphasized that this activity plays an important role in educational diplomacy efforts.
“We all know that there are many Chinese investments here in Sulawesi. Of course, they expect a lot from Unhas to be a bridge for these industries to be more productive, and to provide a real impact for Sulawesi and Indonesia in general,” said Prof. Adi.
He also emphasized the strategic potential of such activities in weaving relations between countries through an inclusive cultural approach. According to him, the Chinese Bridge serves as a medium of dialogue between education and the economy, capable of bridging practical interests and cultural values.
In line with this, the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Unhas, Prof. Dr. Andi Muhammad Akhmar, M.Hum., underlined that FIB not only serves as a center for cultural learning but also plays a role as a node of soft diplomacy.
“The Faculty of Cultural Sciences is an entry point to learn many things, including one’s own culture, other countries’ cultures, economics, politics, and international cooperation. Activities like this can be utilized by students to become bridges in relations between countries, including between Indonesia and China,” said Prof. Akhmar.
Furthermore, he assessed that student involvement in such competitions is not just part of academic activity, but a concrete step in building global awareness. “FIB Unhas encourages students not only to master the language but also to understand the cultural context behind it. That is the main capital in building healthy and productive international communication,” he added.
FIB Unhas’s involvement in organizing the Chinese Bridge demonstrates the faculty’s consistency in making culture a medium for cross-national dialogue. Amidst the currents of globalization that often sharpen differences, initiatives like these open spaces for mutual understanding, exchanging ideas, and growing together. By bridging language and culture, FIB Unhas affirms its commitment: to shape a global generation that is not only skilled in speaking but also wise in listening to the world. (*)
